Former Texas A&M guard J.J. Caldwell announces plans to go pro

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LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 09: JJ Caldwell #4 of the Texas A&M Aggies dribbles the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during the game at Rupp Arena on January 9, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775058294

Caldwell, a former ESPN Top 100 recruit, was a redshirt freshman during the 2017-18 season and appeared in 16 games for the Aggies. He averaged 2.9 points per game was dismissed by coach Billy Kennedy for a violation of team rules.

Coming into the season, Caldwell was the frontrunner to take over the team's starting point guard duties. However, a string of legal issues derailed those plans.

The Houston native was suspended for the first four games of the year for an unspecified violation of team rules.

During the offseason, he was arrested on a suspicion of driving while intoxicated. According to Brazos County court records, Caldwell pleaded not guilty before the case was dismissed "in the interest of justice."

Following his return, he started five games as he primarily served as grad transfer Duane Wilson's backup. Caldwell didn't play in four of his final seven games he was on the team before his dismissal was announced on Feb. 11.

In the hours after A&M's home win against Kentucky on the previous day, Caldwell and fellow A&M guard Jay Jay Chandler were arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor marijuana possession. Chandler was suspended for one game while Caldwell was kicked off the team.

During Caldwell's first year on campus, the former homeschool product was ruled ineligible by the NCAA before the start of the 2016-17 season. According to ESPN, Caldwell was a 4-star recruit and the No. 89 prospect in the national class of 2016.